Background and purposes: Physical activity is accepted as a complementary strategy in the hypertension treatment. However, few studies were concerned with the effects of exercise programs which encourage a less strict training control, especially non-supervised programs. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of two non-formal exercise programs on the blood pressure (BP), physical fitness and biochemical blood profile in hypertensive adults. Methods: Two groups were observed during 18 months: a) 29 subjects engaged in a domestic program (CLINEX) (age: 53 ± 11 yr); b) 42 subjects practicing calisthenics in a community program (NPRC) (age: 62 ± 9 yr). The following variables were assessed: BP, body weight, body fat percent, body mass index, sum of skin folds, waist-hip ratio, cardiorespiratory capacity, and biochemical variables (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, plasma triglycerides, and blood glucose). The domestic program consisted in home-based programmed activities (walking and stretching exercises), held three times/week. The subjects were specifically trained for controlling the intensity and duration of the exercise, and filled an individual chart which was periodically delivered to the research group. The community program proposed hospital-based calisthenics and aerobic activities ministered by exercise specialists, also three times a week. In both programs, the data were assessed every three months and treated by repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results and conclusion: The results suggested the exercise programs elicited positive effects, mainly in body composition and fat regional distribution. The repercussions on blood pressure, despite the fact of being statistically identified, seemed to be less consistent. There were not meaningful effects over the blood biochemical profile. The authors concluded that non-formal exercise programs can be related to favorable changes in overall condition of hypertensive patients, but their potential to elicit more specific changes should be better studied in the future.
Health; Cardiovascular disease; Health promotion; Physical training; Hypertension
